Australian firms urged to boost AI readiness amid sector gaps

INFORM Australia has released a new online tool allowing organisations to assess their preparedness for artificial intelligence and benchmark their capabilities against counterparts in their sector.

The AI Readiness Benchmarking Tool draws on findings from a recent YouGov study of 311 senior decision-makers within Australian organisations, providing data-driven insights into the country's AI adoption.

Research insights

According to the research, the majority of Australian organisations are already leveraging AI, with 78 per cent reporting current usage. However, only 32 per cent of respondents felt fully prepared to implement AI successfully across their organisations.

The survey also identified that nearly a third of companies do not have a clearly defined strategy for AI adoption. This contrasts with reported expectations, as 90 per cent believe AI has the capacity to improve efficiency and productivity, and 87 per cent expect it could increase profitability.

Dr Paul Flachskampf, CEO of INFORM Australia, commented on the significance of the findings:

"Australian businesses are at a critical juncture in their AI journey. Our research revealed that almost one-third of organisations lack a clearly defined AI strategy. This benchmarking tool gives business leaders a clear view of where they stand and actionable steps to close the gap, informed by real market data."

The study highlighted sector-specific differences in both AI adoption and readiness. The banking sector showed the highest level of AI adoption at 83 per cent, but also reported data silos in 79 per cent of cases. Aviation, on the other hand, displayed the greatest confidence in AI's value at 98 per cent, yet only 67 per cent had adopted the technology so far.

Barriers to adoption

The survey uncovered several obstacles to effective AI integration. Fragmented data was cited by 24 per cent of respondents, while 26 per cent indicated a shortage of skilled AI talent was impeding their organisation's progress.

While 59 per cent of organisations said they have an AI strategy in place, almost a third admitted that these strategies are currently underdeveloped or unclear.

Benchmarking and tailored insights

The new tool is intended to provide organisations with a clear understanding of their position relative to market peers. Participants receive a custom report that includes benchmarking against industry averages, sector-specific insights, competitor comparisons, identification of barriers and opportunities, as well as practical recommendations tailored to their circumstances.

Industry-specific reports are available for sectors including logistics, banking, and aviation, enabling organisations to compare themselves directly with similar businesses. The goal is to help businesses identify areas of improvement and take actionable steps toward more confident and successful AI transformation.

Actionable support for Australian organisations

Dr Flachskampf stated that providing organisations with concrete, survey-based data will allow them to make informed decisions regarding their AI journeys:

"This benchmarking tool gives business leaders a clear view of where they stand and actionable steps to close the gap, informed by real market data."

The findings indicate that while adoption of AI in Australia is well underway, there remains a need for greater strategic clarity and the development of internal capabilities to fully benefit from available technologies.

The new self-assessment tool is now accessible to Australian organisations interested in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of their AI readiness and learning how to respond to both opportunities and challenges highlighted by current industry trends and peer activity.